NSO Class 9 syllabus
The NSO Class 9 syllabus for 2026-27, subject by subject: 17 topics to work through. On SkillStar, Class 9 children also get 6 mock tests marked instantly and sample papers to download.
- Class
- Class 9 (Grade 9)
- Syllabus years
- 2026-27
- Topics
- 17
- Mock tests
- 6
- Downloads
- 3
NSO Class 9 syllabus 2026-27
Logical Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning: Reasoning with words, letters and numbers, for example series, codes and analogies.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Reasoning with pictures and figures, for example patterns, mirror images and hidden shapes.
Science
- Motion: Distance, speed, velocity, acceleration and motion graphs.
- Force and Laws of Motion: Newton's three laws and momentum.
- Gravitation: Universal gravitation, weight, free fall and buoyancy.
- Work and Energy: Work, kinetic and potential energy, and power.
- Sound: How sound travels, echoes and properties of sound waves.
- Matter in Our Surroundings: States of matter and how temperature and pressure change them.
- Is Matter Around Us Pure?: Mixtures, solutions, and ways to separate them.
- Atoms and Molecules: Laws of chemical combination, atomic mass and the mole idea.
- Structure of the Atom: Protons, neutrons, electrons and atomic models.
- Cell - The Fundamental Unit of Life: Cell parts and what each part does.
- Tissues: Groups of cells in plants and animals and their jobs.
- Diversity in Living Organisms: How living things are classified into groups.
- Human Health and Diseases: Causes of illness, infections and how to prevent them.
- Improvement in Food Resources: Better crops, animal husbandry and food production.
Achievers Section
- Higher Order Thinking questions: Harder application questions on this class's Science topics; worth more marks each.
About the NSO exam
How the exam works
Mode: Offline, objective multiple-choice paper held in school during school hours; each exam date has its own paper. · Levels: Level 1: Classes 1-12, held in the student's own school. Level 2: Classes 3-12 only; qualifiers are the class-wise top 5% internationally, the top 25 per zone per class, and school class toppers (where at least 10 students of that class sat the exam and the topper scored at least 50%). Level 1 questions are about 60% from the current class syllabus and 40% from the previous class; the Achievers Section and all of Level 2 use the current class syllabus only. · Duration: 60 minutes · Questions: Level 1: Classes 1-4 have 35 questions (Logical Reasoning 5, Science 25, Achievers 5). Classes 5-10 have 50 (Logical Reasoning 10, Science 35, Achievers 5). Classes 11-12 have 50 (Physics & Chemistry 25, Mathematics or Biology 20, Achievers 5). Level 2: Classes 3-4 have 30 Science + 5 Achievers; Classes 5-10 have 45 Science + 5 Achievers; Classes 11-12 have 25 Physics & Chemistry + 20 Mathematics/Biology + 5 Achievers. · Marking: 1 mark per question except the Achievers Section: 2 marks each for Classes 1-4 (40 marks in total) and 3 marks each for Classes 5-12 (60 marks in total). SOF's published pattern does not mention negative marking. · Language: English only
How to register
Only through the child's school: the school registers with SOF and sends the student forms, usually at least 30 days before its chosen exam date. Individual registrations are not accepted. Fee: Rs 170 per student per Olympiad incl. GST (India, Bhutan, Nepal), and schools may collect up to Rs 30 extra; US$11 elsewhere.
When it happens
Next Level 1 school dates: 19 November and 3 December 2026. Earlier dates (30 October 2026) have passed. Each school chooses one date; a future exam date does not mean registration is still open. SOF asks schools to submit registrations at least 30 days before their selected date. Level 2 is for qualifying Classes 3–12 only; SOF plans to announce the exact date by December 2026 and provisionally indicates the second or third Sunday of February 2027. This is tentative, not a confirmed exam date. Results are normally available within about 8 weeks. SOF now lists this science exam as International Science Olympiad (ISO); SkillStar retains the NSO category name. Status checked 1 November 2026; times are IST.
Official website, syllabus and sample papers
Links to the organiser's own pages. Past and sample papers are published there by the organiser.
NSO syllabus for other classes
NSO: guides for parents
- SOF Olympiads IMO, NSO and IEO: A Guide for Parents
How the SOF Maths, Science and English Olympiads work: classes, Level 1 and Level 2, the paper pattern, and a gentle way to help your child prepare.
6 min read
NSO Class 9: questions parents ask
- What is in the NSO Class 9 syllabus for 2026-27?
- 17 topics in Logical Reasoning, Science and Achievers Section, laid out subject by subject on this page. On SkillStar your child can tick off each topic as they learn it.
- Are there NSO Class 9 mock tests on SkillStar?
- Yes, 6 mock tests. Each one is marked the moment your child finishes, with a question-by-question review, and can be taken again as often as they like.
- Can I download NSO Class 9 papers?
- Yes. The NSO Downloads tab on SkillStar has 3 files for this class.
- How does my child start NSO Class 9 practice?
- Sign up free as a parent, add your child with their class, and pick NSO from the exam list. Every new family gets welcome credits, lots of content costs nothing, and anything paid shows its price in credits before you decide.
- Is SkillStar the official NSO website?
- No. SkillStar is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the organisers of these exams. Exam names belong to their respective owners. Check dates, fees and registration with the NSO organisers.
SkillStar is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the organisers of these exams. Exam names belong to their respective owners.